Microsoft’s Aaron Greenberg Rips the PS3, Badly

For the most part, executives from Microsoft, Sony or Nintendo don’t usually have too harsh of words for one another; they’ll talk up their respective consoles quite a bit, but that’s usually the extent of it. But that’s not always the case, as we learned from a new Destructoid interview with Aaron Greenberg, the director of product management for Xbox 360 and Live.

The interview focused on the success of Grand Theft Auto IV, and while Greenberg took a veiled shot at Sony for the problems that have been reported with the online play on PS3, he didn’t say much until he was asked about the PS3′s 2008 prospects. Destructoid asked if Greenberg thought that the 360 had enough to fend off the PS3 and its growing momentum with MotorStorm: Pacific Rift, Metal Gear Solid 4, LittleBigPlanet, Resistance 2, and Home.

[D]idn’t Sony promise all of this last year including Home as well? We have been fighting Sony’s promises from the day we entered the market and if you remember at that time it was all about PS2 being an online cybercity with partner announcements from the likes of RealNetworks and AOL. Then three years ago at E3 they showed what PS3 games would supposedly look like with the Killzone 2 video, that we are now learning will ship four years later. That means that we will have shipped Gears of War and Gears of War 2 before they can even get Killzone out the door. Think back to GDC 2007 when Sony promised to leap ahead in online with the Sony Home unveil. Here we are two years later and multiple delays for a product that has appears to have little to no buzz. Where are the achievements? The friends list integration across all games? Where is the long-promised video store? Where are all the other products using and networking with their CELL chip? How come Blu-ray did not result in better games? What happened with Sixaxis and rumble? Where is the complete 1080p game library we were promised? If Blu-ray as they said would be such a catalyst to PS3 console sales, then why have PS3 sales over the past couple months not seen any lift since the format victory?

There are indeed inaccuracies in there; it’s only been a little over a year since Home was unveiled, and the PS3 has outsold the 360 most months this year, even in the US. He does raise some good points as well, but I mean, jeeze — do you really peg this as something you’d hear an executive say publicly?

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If you want an example of how dumb this rant is just look at this line:

“That means that we will have shipped Gears of War and Gears of War 2 before they can even get Killzone out the door”

That’s 2 third party games compared to a first party one of Sonys. A more accurate comparison would be Alan Wake which was also demoed 3 years ago showing off what we can expect on the 360. How is THAT coming along Mr Greenburg? Does it have a release date like killzone 2 has? Got any footage to show us of it running on the 360 yet? Thought not

I really cant believe this guy is allowed to say this stuff because it reflects very badly on Microsoft.

The Man

On May 9, 2008 at 9:41 pm

Norbit, this entire blog has become biased toward the PS3 in the last three months, you don’t need to attack the 360 every chance you get – its very annoying. Let the bloggers do that, they are good at it. Please make an unbiased intelligent statement for once.

Dont get me wrong, your dialogue here is normally intelligent – its just biased intelligence – and that is saddening.

PS3 Fanboy

On May 9, 2008 at 10:06 pm

Some of those are true, but I mostly think he’s saying it because he works for microsoft.

And this:
“If Blu-ray as they said would be such a catalyst to PS3 console sales, then why have PS3 sales over the past couple months not seen any lift since the format victory?”

Where has he been? Microsoft doesn’t want BR, and sony’s sales have improved considerably.

Please tell me where I am ‘attacking the 360 at every opportunity’? I think you will find I am actually defending the PS3 against unfair criticism. Big difference.

Snaffle

On May 10, 2008 at 8:41 am

ya see you know that the 360 is in trouble when the general maneger dude is having to attack the PS3. i mean come on first it was the attack on the GTA load time(where it actualy makes gameplay smoother)now a direct attack on the PS3 (which at the moment has the best line up for this year). whats Microsoft gunna attack next? will it be the controler design? come on microsoft stop pointing out the bad things of other consoles and fix your own.

How have we become biased towards the PS3 in the last 3 months? If there is one thing we try to do here is provide equal coverage to all consoles. The writers at Gaming Today have their preferences just like anyone else – some prefer the PC, others the 360 and another maybe the PS3 – but we are not fanboys or fangirls of any one in particular, and if we were, I would hope that we would have enough professionalism not to sound like one when talking about any gaming medium.

Personally, I own both a Wii and a Xbox 360 and would own a PS3 if I could afford one at present and did not have to get a 50/50 agreement on any large purchases for the house from my wonderful (note sarcasm)live in boyfriend. The only thing I like to rag on MS about is the shoddy customer service I have received the THREE times I have had to send my 360 back to them for a new one. That, itself is another issue but I will not go into it here.

I just like games, and to me it does not matter which it is ported for as long as it provides me with plenty of enjoyment. If it plays better and/or looks better on a different console or on the PC I will choose which one is the better format – but as far as having a preference, I could care less as long as the game does not suck.

Evismang

On May 10, 2008 at 12:44 pm

360 SUCKS’ link goes to a pornographic site again. The same one, in fact. Can’t you guys IP ban him for stuff like this?

Spooky

On May 10, 2008 at 4:00 pm

I applaud this guy’s cajones to put this out there. (And I happent to agree with his anti-PS3 sentiments, 100%) He’s putting himself at risk for criticism. You have to respect that. PS3 owners don’t know what the word means of course, considering no one respects them, not even the company that they fork over all their money to and get nothing in return, except a few games that should have been 360 exclusive and thus would have been better.

The 360 is the future. Blu-ray and HDDVD don’t even enter into this argument, because they are gaming platforms.

Feel free to email me at spky56@yahoo.com if you wish to discuss this further. I am quite educated in many facts of both the PS3 and 360′s hardware capabilities, sales numbers, game availability, and future plans.

Xboxlenny

On May 11, 2008 at 11:29 am

It really sucks to read here and have some people here defend what console they own or what is better. Both are good, i don’t get how being a fanboy is going to solve anything or convince anyone on either system being better.

This guy if he works for moneysoft, well he will defend the Xbox and knock the PS3, anyone would if its their job. but he is lame for that honestly.

As someone that owns a PS3 and Xbox 360, i like em both, Blu ray i dont care for. any game thats not out for the 360 id want on PS3 well ill get it im sure. right now the PS3 is second choice, but thats my oppinion, many would choose the PS3 first.

As someone who bought a PS3 yesterday, i have to say the online is hurting vs Xbox live but its getting better im sure soon, Sony are taking their damn time with many things, is what Greenberg is sayin. but Im not knocking either system but i think what he is saying is sorta true. the good stuff is coming.

I dont need to defend either system, so all you fanboys that side one way or the other need to grow up. its only a game console, and i dont think any of you work for Sony or Microsoft. If so im sure you would rag on what ever console you dont work for, therefore no different than what Greenberg is saying.

PS3 owners need to realize that their console is not the damn messiah, nor is it a member of their family and they should not get their panties in a bunch every single time someone says something negative about the PS3.

And Norbit STFU and stop talking out of your ass. It really does make you look like a moron.

I’ve just read that Alan Wake (which was demoed at the same show in 2005 Killzone 2 was) is being delayed until 2009

Dark_Prime

On November 16, 2009 at 2:05 am

Aaron Greenbergy, you are an IDIOT! Grow up! Xbox 360′s outsell PlayStation 3, because they break down with the RROD and the consumers HAVE to buy another one. lol I bought one and had it for about a week until it RROD! I am going back to Sony.

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